Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner on the set of The Killers directed by Robert Siodmak, 1946
Tag: equilibrium
Lawson & Ferguson (Columbus, Ind) :: Refugio Meza, “Contorcionista Espanola,” holding flags in a terrific backward position atop three bottles.
n.d. Cabinet card. / src: luminous-lint.com
French aerialist Philippe Petit holds a balancing pole as he crosses a steel cable suspended between the not-yet-completed Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, 1350ft above ground, New York City, 7 August 1974 :: AP
Ruth and Ella Myles aka Beauty Poses, British Pathé, 1935 / src of GIF: gypsyastronaut
Various shots of acrobats Ruth and Ella Myles performing graceful balances and contortions in the studio. They are both extremely supple! Both wear white swimsuits with black belts and tie and the neck. Their final feat involves one girl doing a back bend and staying in that crab position while the other stands on her pelvis and does a back bend there!
more information and full video, at British Pathé also in YouTube
George Caddy :: Four high: in this tricky move, which puts a lot of pressure on the bearer at the bottom, the guy in front watching is no idle bystander. His job is to act as ‘spotter’, helping with the formation of the stunt and catching the top balancer if the whole thing collapses. Tim Holman acts as ‘spotter’ for Eve Holman, Max Stewart and Vic Whitehead, supported by bearer Alf Stanbrough. American gymnasts call this a ‘triple holdout’. Bondi Beach, Australia, 1930’s
George Caddy :: Roya Geale puts on a spectacular display of flexibility and balance, similar to ‘needle scale’ poses struck by professional adagio dancers and contortionists, in which a standing front split is done, while holding the back leg overhead, Bondi Beach, January 1941 / src: State Library of New South Wales
George Caddy :: ‘Beachobatics’. The Graham gymnasts doing a six-man ground pyramid (from left to right, top row) Wal Balmus, Frank Cottier and Max Stewart hand-balance off Vic Whitehead and Jack Goldberg (face obscured), all supported by bearer Alf Stanbrough, Bondi Beach, Australia, 1936
src: State Library of New South Wales
George Caddy :: Candlestick. This triple balance involves one woman (Roya Geale) standing on the necks of two men, who in turn shoulder-balance on the feet of two others, forming a five-person centerpiece. Bondi Beach, 1930’s-1940’s
un regard oblique 